View full release here: http://usf.prestosports.com/sports/m-basebl/2011-12/files/USF_Baseball_-_Weekly_Release_-2_-_022212.pdf
THIS WEEK: The Dons fell to the Nevada Wolf Pack on Tuesday afternoon, 7-3. Junior transfer Andrew Pulido was saddled with the loss in his USF debut. Ted LeMasters went 1-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored, and a solo home run. LeMasters now shares a team lead in runs scored (4), home runs (1), and RBI (3). The Dons now prepare for their first-ever weekend showdown against Big 12 power Missouri, which marks the return of ex-Dons pithing coach Matt Hobbs. Hobbs served as the Diamond Dons pitching coach during the 2010 season, where his staff ranked fourth in the WCC in ERA. Missouri finished the 2011 season with a 27-32 record under head coach Tim Jamieson who is entering his 18th season at the helm for the Tigers.
LOOKING AHEAD: After wrapping up the weekend set against Missouri, San Francisco will drive across the Bay Bridge to take on East Bay rival California on February 28. The Dons split a pair of games with Cal last season, winning 7-6 on 3/16/11 and losing 4-0 on 3/29/11. From there, USF heads to San Diego State to play in the Aztec Invitiational tournament. USF will play four games in four days at Tony Gwynn Stadium on the San Diego State campus.
2012 DANTE BENEDETTI CLASSIC: USF will meet league rival University of San Diego in the Seventh Annual Dante Benedetti Baseball Classic on Saturday, March 31st, 2012 at 10:30 AM at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Tickets for the DBC are $10 each and can be purchased online at http://dantebenedetticlassic.eventbrite.com.
LIVE VIDEO/RADIO/STATS: For live video, radio, and stats for all Diamond Dons games, visit http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/usf.portal#. San Francisco Baseball is pleased to partner with Stretch Internet for the 2012 season. Stretch will provide live audio throughout the season and video streaming will be available at all home games. Fans can access the Dons like never before on your favorite handheld devices via Stretch Internet's Game Central player.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS: Missouri enters the series against USF coming off a series win against Auburn. The Tigers dropped their season opener then won the next two to take the series. Missouri finished in 8th place (11-15) in 2011 in the Big 12 Conference. Dane Opel and Brannon Champagne led the Tigers offensively and come into the series hitting .500 (6-for-12) and .455 (5-for-11), respectively. Opel already has two home runs and four RBI on the young 2012 season.
LAST TIME VS. MISSOURI: The Tigers and Dons have never met before. This weekend's series marks the first-ever matchup between the two schools.
PITCHING COACH, MATT HOBBS: Matt Hobbs, a Missouri alum has returned to his alma mater and is now in his second season Mizzou's pitching coach. Last year, three of his pitchers were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft and he coached All-Big 12 Freshman Team honoree Rob Zastryzny.Hobbs spent the 2010 season as the pitching coach at the University of San Francisco, where his staff ranked fourth in the West Coast Conference in ERA and was second in the league in fewest walks per nine innings.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: Junior pitcher Kyle Zimmer was named a second team All-American in Baseball America's college preseason poll. The right-hander became the first San Francisco Don to be named a preseason All-American since Tagg Bozied in 2000. The La Jolla, CA native burst onto the national scene last season when he outdueled then No. 12 UCLA and phenom Gerrit Cole, shutting out the Bruins, 3-0, while striking out 11 in the first game of the NCAA Los Angeles Regional. Zimmer four-hit the Bruins and walked none to propel the Dons to their first Regional win since 2006. Zimmer opened the season on a pitch count and went four scoreless innings, striking out three and walking none against San Jose State.
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING: Four-year senior Mason Morioka entered the 2012 season without a collegiate home run to his name. That all changed on Opening Day, as Morioka took a 2-1 pitch from San Jose State reliever Kyle Hassna deep over the left field fence in the top of the ninth, to lengethen the Dons lead to 4-0. Morioka's first collegiate homer traveled approximately 400ft and landed in the adjacent softball field on San Jose State's campus.
AMAZING ABE: Redshirt sophomore Abe Bobb was masterful in his second collegiate start as he led San Francisco past San Jose State, 5-1, Saturday afternoon at Blethen Field. Bobb went seven strong innings striking out four, and walking only one. The Denver, Colorado native settled in nicely in the later stages of the game, mixing location well, and getting first pitch strikes all afternoon.
JUSTIN'S TIME: College of San Mateo junior transfer Justin Maffei put together an amazing first week in Green & Gold. The center fielder ranks first on the team in batting average (.385), hits (5), doubles (4), slugging pct. (.692), and steals (2). In addition, Maffei played an excellent center field, gunning down a runner at home plate on Tuesday against Nevada - the first outfield assist for the Dons in 2012. Maffei's four doubles rank first in the entire WCC.
